6 min read
A garage door that refuses to open is one of the most common calls we get, and the cause ranges from "unplug and replug it" to "do not touch this, call a professional today." Here's how to tell which one you're dealing with.
Safe to check yourself
These won't put you at risk and often solve the problem in under five minutes.
- Dead remote batteries — try the wall-mounted button instead
- Opener unplugged, or a tripped breaker/GFCI outlet
- Manual lock engaged (a lever or slide-lock on the inside of the door)
- Photo-eye sensors near the floor are dirty, misaligned, or blocked — wipe the lenses and make sure both little lights are solid, not blinking
- Vacation lock switch on the wall console left in the "locked" position
- Remote out of range or needs reprogramming after a power outage
Stop and call a professional
These involve spring tension or heavy moving parts and are genuinely dangerous to DIY — a garage door spring under tension can cause serious injury.
- A visibly broken or gapped spring above the door
- The door feels extremely heavy when lifted manually, or won't stay open on its own
- A snapped cable hanging loose near the bottom bracket
- The door is visibly crooked, off its tracks, or one side is lower than the other
If none of that fixes it
If you've ruled out the easy stuff and the door still won't budge, something mechanical has failed — most often a spring or a cable. Don't force the opener repeatedly; running the motor against a stuck door can burn it out and turn a $200 repair into a $500 one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my garage door open partway and stop?
Usually a photo-eye sensor obstruction, a bent track, or the opener's travel/force limits need adjusting. If it reverses right after touching the floor, that's often a safety sensor issue, not a mechanical one.
Can I manually open a garage door with a broken spring?
You can pull the emergency release cord to disconnect the opener, but the door itself will be very heavy and can drop suddenly without spring tension. Don't attempt to lift it — wait for a repair.